Paul-Brian McInerney
@pbmcinerney.bsky.social
Economic and organizational sociologist. Assoc. Prof. at @UICsoc. I study markets and social movements. Also a cyclist and eater of things vegan. Queens born and raised, now living in the Middle West. He/him/his
Reposted by Paul-Brian McInerney
Jim Ratcliffe is a prick. I always thought he was.
He has done nothing to suggest that he is not a prick. I loathe Jim Ratcliffe and as a result I find it very hard to get behind his cycling team. He was a prick before he got into cycling. He’s always been a prick. I hope that clears things up.
He has done nothing to suggest that he is not a prick. I loathe Jim Ratcliffe and as a result I find it very hard to get behind his cycling team. He was a prick before he got into cycling. He’s always been a prick. I hope that clears things up.
February 11, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Jim Ratcliffe is a prick. I always thought he was.
He has done nothing to suggest that he is not a prick. I loathe Jim Ratcliffe and as a result I find it very hard to get behind his cycling team. He was a prick before he got into cycling. He’s always been a prick. I hope that clears things up.
He has done nothing to suggest that he is not a prick. I loathe Jim Ratcliffe and as a result I find it very hard to get behind his cycling team. He was a prick before he got into cycling. He’s always been a prick. I hope that clears things up.
Once again, People Magazine bringing the goods to the normies. Between this and the We Rate Dogs guy, this is how we win. The revolution may not be televised, but it will be packaged for general consumption by key outlets.
people.com/gallup-ends-...
The company's decision comes amid growing threats by the Trump administration to target pollsters with unfavorable findings, though Gallup has not attributed its pivot to President Donald Trump
The company's decision comes amid growing threats by the Trump administration to target pollsters with unfavorable findings, though Gallup has not attributed its pivot to President Donald Trump
Gallup Ends Presidential Approval Ratings After Nearly 90 Years of Documenting Public Opinion
Gallup is no longer tracking U.S. presidential approval ratings as of January 2026, PEOPLE confirms, ending a nearly 90-year tradition that has helped document public opinion of numerous White House a...
people.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Once again, People Magazine bringing the goods to the normies. Between this and the We Rate Dogs guy, this is how we win. The revolution may not be televised, but it will be packaged for general consumption by key outlets.
Horkheimer and Adorno said the same thing.
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.
February 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Horkheimer and Adorno said the same thing.
Personally, I think the nonprofit news room is the way to save news (and maybe democracy). 1/n
I know everyone means well with their 'scoop this reporter up immediately' endorsement posts but christ — who's doing the scooping? What's left?
Thinking about our industry this way, like this is a momentary setback and there are ample open roles, obscures the truth about the rot at its core.
Thinking about our industry this way, like this is a momentary setback and there are ample open roles, obscures the truth about the rot at its core.
February 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Personally, I think the nonprofit news room is the way to save news (and maybe democracy). 1/n
But Schumer told me these were part of a package of common sense reforms......
To anyone tempted to celebrate Noem's big announcement that ICE will use body cams and that it will be expanded nationwide as funding is available...
That's already been official ICE policy for over two years.
www.ice.gov/news/release....
That's already been official ICE policy for over two years.
www.ice.gov/news/release....
February 2, 2026 at 11:33 PM
But Schumer told me these were part of a package of common sense reforms......
This👇. Rules apply to you. Rights apply to them.
Here’s a tell: when you point to their hypocrisy it doesn't move them.
Hypocrisy is a feature not a bug of autocracy. Because it proves that the rules apply to you but not to them.
Hypocrisy is a feature not a bug of autocracy. Because it proves that the rules apply to you but not to them.
February 2, 2026 at 9:27 PM
This👇. Rules apply to you. Rights apply to them.
This is pathetic. These Democrats are pathetic.
Senate Democrats were successful in separating and passing the five bipartisan government funding bills from the DHS bill. (1/2)
January 31, 2026 at 12:40 AM
This is pathetic. These Democrats are pathetic.
My sociological methods hot take: Focus groups are underutilized in sociological research. I think they got a bad rap from being adopted (abused) by pollsters and marketers. Sociologists can get great data from moderating small group conversations.
January 30, 2026 at 4:19 PM
My sociological methods hot take: Focus groups are underutilized in sociological research. I think they got a bad rap from being adopted (abused) by pollsters and marketers. Sociologists can get great data from moderating small group conversations.
It's not just that these guys lack killer instincts. They seem to have no political instincts at all. Ds hold so many cards. The GOP is way weaker than they appears. And yet, the Ds are caving in advance. This is why people don't want to vote for them. They stand for nothing.
SCHUMER says Democrats are “united” behind three DHS reforms
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
January 28, 2026 at 10:59 PM
It's not just that these guys lack killer instincts. They seem to have no political instincts at all. Ds hold so many cards. The GOP is way weaker than they appears. And yet, the Ds are caving in advance. This is why people don't want to vote for them. They stand for nothing.
In fairness, Brett Rattner is no Leni Riefenstahl.
Amazon’s MGM studios spent tens of millions, but the documentary is projected to make just $1M in its first week.
This comes as a new report from Rolling Stone details serious labor issues and two-thirds of the film’s staff requesting not to be credited at the end of the film. trib.al/Clr03cD
This comes as a new report from Rolling Stone details serious labor issues and two-thirds of the film’s staff requesting not to be credited at the end of the film. trib.al/Clr03cD
Melania Documentary Flops as Crew Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Chaos
The first lady’s documentary was a mess in production—and now it’s struggling at the box office.
trib.al
January 27, 2026 at 11:34 PM
In fairness, Brett Rattner is no Leni Riefenstahl.
The regime was stupid to unleash this guy. Untethered from the need for ratings (or even a future as a host), he's just going off. I can only imagine the number of late night normies he's radicalized.
youtu.be/ky5B7xrontY?...
youtu.be/ky5B7xrontY?...
Masked Secret Police Are Not Victims | The Truth About Alex Pretti | What Would The Founders Do?
YouTube video by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
youtu.be
January 27, 2026 at 6:30 PM
The regime was stupid to unleash this guy. Untethered from the need for ratings (or even a future as a host), he's just going off. I can only imagine the number of late night normies he's radicalized.
youtu.be/ky5B7xrontY?...
youtu.be/ky5B7xrontY?...
Reposted by Paul-Brian McInerney
i have just gotten off a productive call with sauron where i laid out our requests
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
i have just gotten off a productive call with sauron where i laid out our requests
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
If you know anything about El Centro, you'll know this is banishment, not demotion.
BREAKING Greg Bovino has been removed as Border Patrol "commander at large" and will return to El Centro Calif, where he is expected to retire soon. A stunning turnaround after Pretti killing. Bovino's traveling blue city crackdown is over www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Gregory Bovino Gets Demoted
The Border Patrol chief was the public face of a traveling immigration crackdown on cities governed by Democrats.
www.theatlantic.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:45 PM
If you know anything about El Centro, you'll know this is banishment, not demotion.
If you grew up in the NYC metro area counterculture scene in the '80s , Uncle Floyd was appointment viewing. This guy was responsible for breaking important musical acts from Cyndi Lauper to The Ramones. @punkrockhistory.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/n...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/n...
Floyd Vivino, Throwback Comedian Known as Uncle Floyd, Dies at 74
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:31 PM
If you grew up in the NYC metro area counterculture scene in the '80s , Uncle Floyd was appointment viewing. This guy was responsible for breaking important musical acts from Cyndi Lauper to The Ramones. @punkrockhistory.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/n...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/n...
Reposted by Paul-Brian McInerney
From Tupperware to Mary Kay, multi-level-marketing companies promise sellers they can have it all—but at what cost? Read Nicole Muffitt's feature in our Fall '25 issue!
➡️ contexts.org/issues/fall-...
➡️ contexts.org/issues/fall-...
January 22, 2026 at 2:12 PM
From Tupperware to Mary Kay, multi-level-marketing companies promise sellers they can have it all—but at what cost? Read Nicole Muffitt's feature in our Fall '25 issue!
➡️ contexts.org/issues/fall-...
➡️ contexts.org/issues/fall-...
Reposted by Paul-Brian McInerney
“The truth always lies somewhere in the middle” has to be one of my least favorite phrases. Sometimes, one side is actually truthful and one side is actually malicious and lying!
January 19, 2026 at 8:34 PM
“The truth always lies somewhere in the middle” has to be one of my least favorite phrases. Sometimes, one side is actually truthful and one side is actually malicious and lying!
The US is being undone by the willingness of some people to lie combined with their ability to do so with total impunity. One might go as far as to say that lying is rewarded in today's media (and social media) landscape.
If protesters were getting paid, there's be a massive chain of solicitations, emails that would easily prove the case. There is none
Any TV interviewer needs to demand proof when this claim is made and end the interview when it's not provided
Any TV interviewer needs to demand proof when this claim is made and end the interview when it's not provided
Rep. Byron Donalds: "These agitators -- who by the way are paid, folks. America, they are paid to do this kind of mess."
January 19, 2026 at 3:59 PM
The US is being undone by the willingness of some people to lie combined with their ability to do so with total impunity. One might go as far as to say that lying is rewarded in today's media (and social media) landscape.
I would venture that the problem here is that the regime sees itself as making content for its core constituency and said content is going viral, making it harder to control the narrative. The algorithm is feeding a much bigger audience than intended.
Trump is privately worried about the "optics" of ICE raids and his advisers are looking for ways to soften them, Axios reports. I'm calling bullshit: The terror and violence cannot be hived off from the broader policy agenda. They are 100% intrinsic to it.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2053...
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2053...
Trump’s Own Advisers Suddenly Unnerved as ICE Raids Take Horrific Turn
So the president doesn’t like the “optics” of what ICE is doing. But there’s no such thing as sanitized, popular mass deportations—and this is by design.
newrepublic.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:19 PM
I would venture that the problem here is that the regime sees itself as making content for its core constituency and said content is going viral, making it harder to control the narrative. The algorithm is feeding a much bigger audience than intended.
So basically MN is Kevin and ICE are Harry and Marv. We know how that turns out for them.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin on "acts of violence" against ICE agents in Minnesota: "Pouring water on the ground so that it would freeze the ground in front of our federal law enforcement vehicles so that they would potentially slide, crash, and potentially kill them"
January 16, 2026 at 2:28 AM
So basically MN is Kevin and ICE are Harry and Marv. We know how that turns out for them.
Reposted by Paul-Brian McInerney
Sliver of light in dark times.
January 12, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Sliver of light in dark times.
My last name being what it is, I'm sympathetic. Students are remarkably gracious and genuinely appreciate you trying and wanting to get their names right. Taking roll on the first day is a great way to turn something awkward into an opportunity to connect at my exceedingly diverse uni.
I'm about to go teach my first classes for the semester. I thought I might share what I consider to be a crucial first-day activity: getting the names right.
Knowing your students' names is a crucial part (hopefully) of anyone's pedagogy, from taking attendance to building community.
Knowing your students' names is a crucial part (hopefully) of anyone's pedagogy, from taking attendance to building community.
Why mispronouncing a name can undermine a student’s identity – and how to help
It matters when names are mispronounced, disregarded, or even mocked in the classroom.
www.vox.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:11 PM
My last name being what it is, I'm sympathetic. Students are remarkably gracious and genuinely appreciate you trying and wanting to get their names right. Taking roll on the first day is a great way to turn something awkward into an opportunity to connect at my exceedingly diverse uni.
I know my neighbors in MN have leaf blowers. Time to bust them out.
An all too familiar scene: tossing some more gas canisters at residents as they flee.
January 12, 2026 at 7:37 PM
I know my neighbors in MN have leaf blowers. Time to bust them out.
If you read the article, you’ll see the threats were much more milquetoast than the headline would have you believe. If the Dems don’t have the guts to shutdown the gov’t on the upcoming budget vote, they should just step down. No money for fascism.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Democrats threaten to withhold funding after ICE killing in Minneapolis
Lawmakers issue warning about homeland security budget after shooting death by federal agent of Renee Nicole Good
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:59 AM
If you read the article, you’ll see the threats were much more milquetoast than the headline would have you believe. If the Dems don’t have the guts to shutdown the gov’t on the upcoming budget vote, they should just step down. No money for fascism.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Durbin should be ashamed for collaborating with this administration. He needs to step down immediately and let Pritzker appoint an interim.
Alexander Van Hook is confirmed 53-40 to be a District Judge of Western Louisiana. According to @senatepress.bsky.social, the Dems yeas are Dick Durbin (IL), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Peter Welch (VT). Angus King (I-ME) was also a yea.
January 9, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Durbin should be ashamed for collaborating with this administration. He needs to step down immediately and let Pritzker appoint an interim.